Herpetic stomatitis

Definition

Herpetic stomatitis is a viral infection of the mouth that causes sores and ulcers. These mouth ulcers are not the same as canker sores, which are not caused by a virus.

Alternative Names

Stomatitis – herpetic; primary herpetic gingivostomatitis

Causes

Herpetic stomatitis is an infection caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV), or oral herpes. Young children commonly get it when they are first exposed to HSV. The first outbreak is usually the most severe. HSV can easily be spread from one child to another.

If you or another adult in the family has a cold sore, it could have spread to your child and caused herpetic stomatitis. More likely, you won't know how your child became infected.

Symptoms

Blisters in the mouth, often on the tongue, cheeks, roof of the mouth, gums, and on the border between the inside of the lip and the skin next to it

After blisters pop, they form ulcers in the mouth, often on the tongue or cheeks

Difficulty swallowing

Drooling

Fever (often as high as 104 °Fahrenheit), which may occur 1 - 2 days before blisters and ulcers appear

Irritability

Mouth pain

Swollen gums

Symptoms may be so uncomfortable that your child doesn't want to eat or drink.

Exams and Tests

Your child's doctor can usually diagnose this condition by looking at your child's mouth sores.

Sometimes, special laboratory tests can help confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment

Your child's doctor may prescribe:

Acyclovir, a medicine your child takes that fights the virus causing the infection

Numbing medicine (viscous lidocaine) which you can apply to your child's mouth to ease severe pain

Use lidocaine with care, because it can kill all feeling in your child's mouth. This can make it hard for your child to swallow, and may lead to burns in the mouth or throat from eating hot foods, or cause choking.

There are several things you can do at home to help your child feel better:

Give your child acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain. (Never give a child under age 20 aspirin. It can cause Reye's syndrome, a rare but serious illness.)

Bad breath and a coated tongue are common side effects. Gently brush your child's teeth every day.

Make sure your child gets plenty of sleep and rests as much as possible.

Outlook (Prognosis)

Your child should recover completely within 10 days without medical treatment. Acyclovir may speed up your child's recovery.

Your child will have the herpes virus for life. In most people, the virus stays inactive in their body. If the virus wakes up again, it most often causes a cold sore on the mouth. Sometimes, it can affect the inside of the mouth, but it won't be as severe as the first episode.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call your health care provider if your child develops a fever followed by a sore mouth, and your child stops eating and drinking. Your child can quickly become dehydrated.

If the herpes infection spreads to the eye, it is an emergency and can lead to blindness. Call your doctor right away.

Prevention

About 90% of the population carries HSV. There's little you can do to prevent your child from picking up the virus sometime during childhood.

Your child should avoid all close contact with people who have cold sores. So if you get a cold sore, explain why you can't kiss your child until the sore is gone. Your child should also avoid other children with herpetic stomatitis.

If your child has herpetic stomatitis, avoid spreading the virus to other children. While your child has symptoms:

Version Info

Last reviewed on 8/22/2013

Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Bethanne Black, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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